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Xpanner launches ‘first’ scalable physical AI-based automation solution for construction sites

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Xpanner, a specialist in construction automation solutions, has launched its flagship X1 Kit, which the company describes as “the first scalable physical AI-based retrofit solution designed to revolutionize construction site automation”.

The kit tackles prominent challenges such as labor shortages, safety hazards, and operational inefficiencies by deploying a flexible, equipment-agnostic system that can be easily integrated into existing construction machinery.

Since its formation in South Korea in 2020, Xpanner has been at the forefront of advancing construction technology. Founded by industry experts Henri Lee, David Shin, and Ryan Park, the company expanded to the US in 2023 with a goal to transform cutting-edge technology into something tangible and beneficial for operators on the ground. [Read more…] about Xpanner launches ‘first’ scalable physical AI-based automation solution for construction sites

Reframe Systems raises $20 million to scale prefabricated construction ‘microfactories’

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Reframe Systems, a start-up utilizing physical AI to tackle the housing crisis, has raised $20 million in Series A funding co-led by Eclipse and VoLo Earth Ventures with support from MassMutual Catalyst Funds, Cubit Capital, Planetary Health at RA Capital Management, Saga Ventures, and Nor’easter Ventures.

The company was founded by former Amazon Robotics leaders Vikas Enti, Felipe Polido, and Aaron Small who scaled some of the most advanced automation systems in the world, deploying over 500,000 robots across Amazon’s fulfillment network.

Now, they are bringing that expertise to home construction – one of the last industries still dependent on fragmented, outdated, manual processes. [Read more…] about Reframe Systems raises $20 million to scale prefabricated construction ‘microfactories’

Fort Robotics raises $18.9 million in new funding to bring total to $60.5 million

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Fort Robotics, a specialist provider of safety and security solutions for intelligent machines, has raised an additional $18.9 million in its Series B funding round. This capital raises the company’s total funding to $60.5 million to date.

The round was led by Tiger Global, with strong participation from both new and returning investors, underscoring confidence in Fort’s crucial role in the rapidly evolving robotics and physical AI landscape.

Fort’s growth is fueled by the robotics industry hitting a critical inflection point. As autonomous systems see large-scale deployments in sectors like autonomous vehicles, agriculture, construction, defense, factory automation, and humanoid robotics, they are increasingly relying on Fort’s solutions. [Read more…] about Fort Robotics raises $18.9 million in new funding to bring total to $60.5 million

Figure AI shocks the internet by showing its humanoid robot doing laundry like a pro

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Figure AI has captivated audiences with a new viral video showing its humanoid robot, Figure 02, performing household laundry tasks with impressive autonomy. (See video below.)

In footage shared by CEO Brett Adcock on X, the robot is seen efficiently grabbing garments from a basket and loading them into a washing machine – marking a notable achievement in embodied household robotics.

While Figure 02 does not yet operate the washer’s controls itself, this milestone demonstrates its ability to handle the physical manipulation of garments – loading and unloading – in a real‑world setting using its Helix Vision‑Language‑Action model. [Read more…] about Figure AI shocks the internet by showing its humanoid robot doing laundry like a pro

Dexterity and Hiwin partner to produce ‘world’s first intelligent robot arm’ for warehouse work

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Dexterity, a specialist developer of physical AI and robotics, has agreed a strategic partnership with Hiwin Technologies Corp, a manufacturer of motion and control systems, to produce high-performance robot arms for Dexterity’s hardware platform: the Mech.

The Mech is a roving, two-armed robot designed from the ground to embody Physical AI in industrial applications. Its roving base enables it to go where large enterprises need heavy lifting of a wide range of goods, and its lightweight but powerful, dual arm design enables it to pick and pack goods at the speed of operations – and beyond.

Hiwin’s expertise in precision engineering has enabled the development of lightweight, 8-degree-of-freedom robotic arms for the Mech. HIWIN optimized the strength-to-weight ratio of the Mech arms to make them easy to deploy in warehouses, while at the same time ensuring their capability in lifting weights beyond the OSHA limit for a single person lift. [Read more…] about Dexterity and Hiwin partner to produce ‘world’s first intelligent robot arm’ for warehouse work

Doosan Robotics acquires 90 per cent stake in US-based integrator ONExia for $26 million

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Doosan Robotics is stepping up its transformation into a global intelligent robot solutions provider, advancing a multifaceted growth strategy that includes international acquisitions, expert recruitment, and organizational realignment – all aimed at leading the emerging Physical AI era.

In its latest move, Doosan Robotics’ board of directors approved the acquisition of an 89.59 percent stake in ONExia, a US-based robotics system integrator and automation engineering firm headquartered in Pennsylvania.

The deal, valued at approximately $25.9 million (KRW 35.6 billion), was formalized with a stock purchase agreement (SPA) and participation in a capital increase. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics acquires 90 per cent stake in US-based integrator ONExia for $26 million

Genesis AI raises $105 million to build ‘universal’ robotics foundation model

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Genesis AI, a global physical AI research lab and full-stack robotics company, emerged from stealth today with a mission to unlock unlimited physical labor.

The company is building a universal robotics foundation model (RFM) and a horizontal robotics platform, raising $105 million co-led by Eclipse and Khosla Ventures, with participation from Bpifrance, HSG, and visionary leaders Eric Schmidt and Xavier Niel.

Physical labor contributes an estimated $30-40 trillion to the Global GDP, yet over 95 percent of it remains unautomated due to the limitations of current automation solutions. Today’s robotic systems, such as industrial arms, rely on brittle, rigid, and overfitted software stacks. [Read more…] about Genesis AI raises $105 million to build ‘universal’ robotics foundation model

Intrinsic unveils new AI-powered industrial automation solutions at Automatica 2025

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Intrinsic – a business unit of Alphabet, parent company of Google – is showcasing at Automatica 2025 several new AI-enabled robotic systems and platform enhancements aimed at transforming how automation providers and manufacturers build, deploy, and scale intelligent solutions.

The company has announced support for end-to-end solution development for CNC machine tending and optical inspection use cases on its Intrinsic platform. These new capabilities combine Intrinsic Flowstate, AI-powered perception, motion planning, and IntrinsicOS to streamline complex industrial automation tasks.

Among the highlights at the trade show are demonstrations from three new customers – Newston Automated Solutions, Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, and MartinSystems – each presenting their first solutions built with Intrinsic. [Read more…] about Intrinsic unveils new AI-powered industrial automation solutions at Automatica 2025

Pickle Robot to hire 50 new engineers to meet ‘surging demand’ for warehouse automation

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Pickle Robot, a provider of AI-powered robotic systems for autonomous truck unloading, is significantly expanding its team, announcing plans to hire 50 new engineers by September 2025.

The hiring surge comes as customer demand accelerates for intelligent automation solutions that can operate at human scale across logistics environments.

The company’s expansion signals strong momentum as warehouse operators look to boost efficiency, safety, and throughput with automation. [Read more…] about Pickle Robot to hire 50 new engineers to meet ‘surging demand’ for warehouse automation

Brightpick launches its first multi-purpose warehouse robot to ‘match human-level performance’

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Brightpick, a provider of AI-powered robotic solutions for warehouses, has unveiled Autopicker 2.0, the most advanced version of its flagship multi-purpose AI robot.

Featuring the company’s next-generation Intuition software, now including Physical AI and picking-in-motion, and a completely redesigned hardware platform, Autopicker 2.0 delivers on average 70-80 picks per hour, matching the productivity of a typical warehouse associate – while offering greater reliability and 24/7 operation.

The new Autopicker is the result of five years of integrated hardware and software development, enhanced by Brightpick’s latest advancements in robotic AI technology. [Read more…] about Brightpick launches its first multi-purpose warehouse robot to ‘match human-level performance’